slaterson19 wrote:What about flutter/stability? If I park my kite at 12 oclock to adjust my straps or harness while in the water my Park starts to flutter in the wind and the lines want to go slack. I have to work it from side to side to keep the kite stable. Also, when coming in for a landing after jumping I have to dive the kite forward right before I hit the water or the lines go slack and the kite wants to fall out of the sky. Maybe this is just user error or all kites do this but how does the Ride handle as far as lines going slack,etc.

Well I do not park my kites at 12. Never have..it was the first thing I learned when I started kiteboarding.
I am sure the kite will have some flutter if the kite is depowered in a non-riding situation. I don't know any kite that will not. I really do not notice it though.
I have not seen the park nor the ride fall from the sky unless the wind turns off. On the ride it really has to turn completely off too...that kite will fly in really really light wind. I had session on the 9i where the lulls are glassy but most of the time it was 25...no problem on the kite..it keeps pulling.

On the falling from the sky.

Also, when coming in for a landing after jumping I have to dive the kite forward right before I hit the water or the lines go slack and the kite wants to fall out of the sky.

If you mean that you have to redirect that is how you get a soft landing when you jump...this pertains to all kites. If you mean that the kite will fall after you redirect and land then I have not experienced that? Not sure what you mean

In general the kite will drift backwards and the lines go tight in a wave riding situation...it does not have a tendency to nose dive...but I don't think that is an attribute I would put on the park either..

I can get the Ride version 1 12 and 8 meter kites for half off. I weight 175-180lbs and will be riding a TT and surfboard. Would this work and then throw in a 6 meter ride down the road or is there to much of a gap between the 12 and 8? Thanks.

Had the Park 2011, loved it, started waveriding with that one, and had great sessions with it.
Then changed to the Park 2012, and was not really satisfied with that one.
More bar pressure, slower (delayed) turning speed, less depower etc.
Ditched the 2012 Park’s and changed to the 2012 Bolt, and that one gave me back
My Park 2010 feeling, had my best wave sessions with it, awesome kite !!
Started strapless riding with this one, and can’t imagine a kite which does better.

But the 2013 Naish kites look very nice, and I’m wondering if I will find this Bolt feeling
Back in the Park 2013 or the Ride 2013.

Does anyone have ridden the Bolt 2012, and can compare it with one of those 2 ?

slaterson19 wrote:I can get the Ride version 1 12 and 8 meter kites for half off. I weight 175-180lbs and will be riding a TT and surfboard. Would this work and then throw in a 6 meter ride down the road or is there to much of a gap between the 12 and 8? Thanks.

What wind are you looking at riding in? The most common wind speed at your main spot?

The Ride (and most other Naish kites, but especially the Ride) have too much bridal for my liking. The best thing they did with the 2013 Park was to shorten up the bridal so I'd go that route for sure.

The last thing I'd ever want to take in to the surf zone is a kite with a long bridal.